Operations Manager (AI Startup)

About the role

Sapient Intelligence develops next-generation AI models and autonomous research systems. It is looking for an Operations Manager who reports to the Cofounder, works in a team of about 50 people, and builds effective internal operations, strengthens cross-functional collaboration and drives company priorities through to completion. The role covers day-to-day operations, management processes and collaboration systems.

Key responsibilities

• Oversee daily operations and work with the Cofounder to set priorities and resource needs, resolving issues that affect the team's effectiveness.
• Develop and improve internal processes for collaboration, procurement, contract routing, approvals, recordkeeping and knowledge management.
• Build and manage workplace systems such as Lark/Feishu and office automation, turning needs into workflows, forms, permissions and automation rules.
• Turn management priorities into concrete plans with owners, milestones and delivery standards, and coordinate research, product and other teams.
• Coordinate recruitment, onboarding, offboarding, employee records and internal communications, and improve the employee experience.
• Manage office space, equipment, travel, vendors and service providers, and work with the Head of Finance on budgets, expenses and payments.
• Set up operational reporting and review processes, and provide accurate, concise updates to the Cofounder.
• Explore AI tools for organizing information, processing documents, managing knowledge, tracking projects and automating workflows.

Required profile

• Overseas study experience; fluent spoken and written English and Mandarin, able to join English and Chinese meetings and write documents.
• Strong systems thinking and execution skills, with comfort in a startup pace and a sense of ownership.
• Good communication, coordination and writing skills, able to work with technical teams and external providers without direct managerial authority.
• Sound cost awareness, service orientation and discretion.
• Based mainly in Singapore, the US or China (Beijing), with short- to medium-term business travel; EP, OPT and H-1B sponsorship may be available depending on qualifications.

Required skills

• Familiarity with Lark/Feishu and office automation systems, with hands-on configuration or improvement experience.
• Interest in and proficiency with AI tools, with demonstrable use cases and efficiency gains.
• Preferred: experience founding a business or building processes from scratch, in an AI, tech or R&D company, coordinating international teams, and using data analysis, low-code or workflow automation tools.

What we offer

• Close collaboration with researchers and engineers and direct involvement with the founders.
• A comfortable working environment with the resources to do good work, within the autonomy of a startup.